16 Detroit-area chicken sandwiches that are better than Popeyes

By Metro Times Staff

Detroit-area restaurants offer a diverse selection of chicken sandwiches, from Nashville hot to shawarma. You can skip Popeyes and head to one of these restaurants, where you're sure to find something that hits the spot.

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Union Street — Fried Chicken Sandwich

4145 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3965; unionstreetdetroit.com
The fried chicken sandwich at Union Street comes with a pickled mustard seed drizzle, bread and butter pickle, and creamy slaw on a soft potato bun. All sandwiches at Union Street come with seasoned house fries.

Photo via Union Street Detroit / Facebook

Table at Fort Street Galley — Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

160 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-230-0855; fortstreetgalley.org/restaurants/table
Fort Street Galley might be a gussied-up food court, but this isn’t your average mall restaurant chicken sandwich. Table, run by esteemed chef Phill Milton, focuses on American comfort food with modern ingredients and a chef’s touch. Their Nashville hot chicken sandwich stays true to the classic while staying a cut above the rest with a cayenne-lard paste, bleu cheese, and a heaping load of fries to go with it.

Photo via Bridget Ekis

Sweet Soul Bistro — Grilled/Fried Chicken Sandwich

13741 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-862-7685; sweetsoulbistro.net
For a Detroit soul food sandwich look no further. Sweet Soul Bistro offers a choice of grilled or fried chicken marinated in sauce, melted cheese, caramelized onions, crisp shredded lettuce, fresh tomatoes, mayo, and choice of sauce.

Photo via Sweet Soul Bistro / Facebook

Slows BBQ — The Yardbird

2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com
Slows claims their Yardbird sandwich is “one of the top three best sandwiches in America” — a big plate to fill. Luckily, that’s what Slows BBQ does best. Served on a grilled roll, the Yardbird consists of smoked Amish chicken, sautéed mushrooms, cheddar, and Applewood smoked bacon covered with whole grain honey mustard barbecue sauce.

Photo via SLOWS BAR BQ / Facebook

Hello Shawarma — Chicken Cream Chops and Hello Chicken Shawarma

12197 Conant St., Hamtramck; 313-707-0988; helloshwaramahamtramck.com
It may not be traditional Nashville-style, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. The Chicken Cream Chops sandwich from Hello Shawarma feels familiar while tasting new. A thick coating of ranch with breaded chicken, lettuce, and tomato enhances the package. The Hello Chicken Shawarma sandwich is rolled with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, parsley, and Hello sauce, setting it apart from typical shawarmas and chicken sandwiches.

Photo via Hello shawarama restaurant / Facebook

Second Best — Fried Chicken Sandwich

42 Watson St., Detroit; 313-315-3077; secondbestdetroit.com
Second Best’s fried chicken sandwich is made in the Nashville hot tradition: soaked in buttermilk, then coated in lard and cayenne. Served with fries, celeriac slaw, and ranch mayo, this might be Second Best’s fried chicken sandwich, but it could easily be your first.

Photo via Second Best Detroit / Facebook

Saffron De Twah — Moroccan Fried Chicken Sandwich

7636 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 586-359-6138; saffrondetwah.com
You wouldn’t expect a Moroccan restaurant to be a place for a hot chicken sandwich, but expect the unexpected. An instant favorite at Saffron De Twah, the Morocco hot chicken sandwich offers a Moroccan-inspired twist on the Nashville classic. It's brined in coriander buttermilk, Berbere hot sauce, jalapeño, garlic, and ginger, then Southern-fried and bunned with caramelized honey butter, harissa carrot slaw, and harissa aioli.

Photo via Saffron De Twah / Facebook

Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop -—Cambell, Jerk, Pulgini, Toney’s Caesar Rap

1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com
Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop was voted Detroit’s best deli seven years in a row. Need I continue? Mudgie’s makes everything fresh, with old-world style bread and all-natural free-range chicken. If the list of signature sandwiches isn’t quite what you were hungry for, they also offer DIY-options.

Photo via Mudgie's Deli & Wine Shop / Facebook

Lovers Only — The Extern

34 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-986-1174; loversonlydetroit.com
Don’t let the name intimidate you — Lovers Only applies to fried chicken sandwich lovers as well as romantic couples. The setting of the restaurant is beautiful, and expect to be equally smitten with the food. The Extern is a cold-fried chicken sandwich, served with a coating of thick-but-light crag, accented with cabbage and jalapeño slaw and a vinegary white barbecue sauce. The whole package is an appealing texture and flavor combination.

Photo via Tom Perkins

Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles — Chicken BLT Sandwich

19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229; kuzzoschickenandwaffles.com
Known for their chicken and waffle combos, you can trust Kuzzo’s to handle a chicken sandwich. Either fried or grilled, the chicken BLT sandwich comes on Texas toast with Applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and house-made Sriracha mayo.

Photo via Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles / Facebook